Yet another Minneapolis-based band that I have never heard of, Jaguar Jaguar recently reached out about me possibly reviewing their new EP. I rarely turn new music down but always get super excited to check out music from the Twin Cities that I have never heard of so let’s not waste any more time and jump right into ‘Pink Lies’ from Jaguar Jaguar!
This quick EP gets started with “Exit” and I was instantly impressed by the clarity that comes with it. Although this track comes with a classic indie-pop vibe, there’s a more electronic side to this track that makes it absolutely infectious. The vocals instantly caught my ear (go figure). They are just so smooth and effortless sounding that it’s impossible to not just follow them. Overall, this track has a laidback beat but it also has a driving force behind it that keeps it moving forward. I really can not stress the clarity in this opening track and I hope it’s an element I will hear throughout the next four songs that make up this release.
Thankfully, that clarity does continue into “Post-Op” while bringing a more dance-based beat to the table. This was an instant favorite of mine due to the dancey beat. Although I could easily hear this on any of the various playlists I typically have running to get me through a workday, there’s something interesting about the composition of this track. It never quite goes where I thought it was going to go and it constantly kept me on my toes. At just under four minutes long, this is the longest track on the album but I wish it would have lasted so much longer. There’s just something tender yet something upbeat about it that I could not get enough of.
Things slow down for “My Friends” and the vocals are really given a chance to shine. The instrumentation takes a more acoustic approach allowing the words to just soar above everything else. Even though the more electronic beat that had been heard in the previous tracks seems to have disappeared throughout this track, there’s still an element in this track that keeps these guys from falling into the generic indie-pop scene. The tenderness and emotion felt in this track is staggering and although I’m not really in the mood for this slower-styled track, there’s no denying the power that comes with it.
This quick EP ends with the title track, “Pink Lies”. Although I wanted this journey to end with a more dancey beat like that heard in “Post-Op”, I loved the distorted vocals and more calming vibe that kicks off this track. The female vocals that come in right around the minute part are absolutely stunning and it instantly became one of those elements that I really wish I had heard throughout the rest of the release. Although this final track ends this release on a great note, it also left me so intrigued to see what else Jaguar Jaguar has up their sleeves. It brought in elements that I wanted more of and left so many unanswered questions about this band. Although frustrating, it’s a perfect way to end a release because it left me wanting so much more.
My Favorite Track(s): “Post-Op”
For Fans Of: Indie-Pop with an Electronic Flair; Smooth Vocals
Mosh-ability: 3 out of 10
What My Cats Thought Of It: Artie slept on the back of the couch; Autumn ate breakfast
How Badly I Want To See This Performed Live: 6 out of 10
My Overall Rating: 7.3 out of 10
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